Virtual Town Hall to Promote and Protect Black Women’s Health

February 16, 2023 | Fennella Bruce |

Toronto, ON – After a successful Black Health & Wellness Fair, the Black Scientists’ Task Force (BSTF) continues the conversation with its upcoming town hall focusing on Black and racialized women’s health, Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6:00pm-8:00pm EST on Zoom.  Community leaders have asked the BSTF to continue addressing gendered and intersectional needs, as well as the need for race equity data in health. Town halls are continuing until the end of March.

“Black women were hit hard by the pandemic as many work in health care and other frontline sectors, and are often the backbones of their households,” explains Dr. Candice Todd, ND, Co-Chair of the BSTF. “Their health and well-being deserves greater public attention and support for meaningful recovery from this pandemic.”

The virtual town hall will cover the unique challenges and obstacles faced by Black and racialized women concerning their physical and mental well-being. Topics range from breast cancer and COVID-19 to anxiety and depression.

A number of Black women health specialists with lived and professional experience will lead the discussion to provide insightful perspectives and offer practical solutions to support Black and racialized women’s health.

The following health specialists will be panellists for the Black Women’s Health Town Hall:

• Dr. Mojola Omole – General Surgeon and Breast Surgical Oncologist at Scarborough Health Network

• Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey – Deputy Medical Officer of Health at the City of Toronto

• Dr. Candice Todd – Naturopathic Doctor and Co-Chair of Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity

• Chimére L. Smith – Author, Speaker & Long COVID-19 Patient

• Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman – Paediatric Clinical Immunologist and Allergist at McMaster Children Hospital

• Lori-Ann Green-Walker – Executive Director of Women’s Health in Women’s Hands CHC, Moderator of the panel

• Dr. Justine Joseph – Registered Clinical Psychologist (Speciality: multicultural issues in psychological assessment & treatment)

• Celina Caesar-Chavannes – Sr. Advisor, EDI Initiatives and Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University

The Black Women’s Health Townhall will be an interactive and informative panel for Black and racialized women to learn and contribute to improving their health. Guests can register online and join the session via Zoom.

The event is brought to you by TAIBU Health Centre, Black Scientists’ Task Force, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands, and the City of Toronto.

SOURCE FKB Media